ALEXANDER BROOME.
Reading edition
Alexander Broome our English Anacreon, was an Attorney in the Lord Mayors Court; who besides his practice in Law, addicted himself to a Jovial strain in the ravishing Delights of Poetry; being the ingenious Author of most of those Songs, which on the Royalists account came forth during the time of the Rump, and Oliver's Usurpation; and were sung so often by the Sons of Mirth and Bacchus, and plaid to by the sprightly Violin. Take for a tast a verse of one of his Songs.
Come, come, let us drink, 'Tis in vain to think, Like fools, on grief or Sadness; Let our Money fly, And our Sorrows die, All worldly care is Madness: But Sack and good Chear, Will in spight of our fear, Inspire our Souls with Gladness.
I shall only add his Poem which he made on the great Cryer at Westminster-Hall, by which you may judge of his Abilities in Poetry.
When the Great Cryer in that greater Room, Calls Faunt-le-roy, and Alexander Broome, The people wonder (as those heretofore, When the Dumb spoke) to hear a Cryer Roar. The kitling Crue of Cryers that do stand With Eunuchs voices, squeaking on each hand, Do signifie no more, compar'd to him, Then Member Allen did to Patriot Pim. Those make us laugh, while we do him adore; Their's are but Pistol, his Mouths Cannon-Bore. Now those same thirsty Spirits that endeavor, To have their names enlarg'd, and last for ever, Must be Attorneys of this Court, and so His voice shall like Fame's loudest Trumpet blow Their names about the world, and make them last, While we can lend an Ear, or he a Blast.
He wrote besides those airy Fancies, several other Serious Pieces; as also a Comedy called the Cunning Lover.